Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan (AP Photo)
MUMBAI: Bollywood actor and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has apologised for her alleged anti-Marathi utterances after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists went on the rampage in Mumbai, tearing off posters of films featuring members of the Bachchan family. ( Watch )

Jaya, speaking to reporters late on Monday, apologised and said the comments made by her were completely unintentional and that no one should take them seriously.

She said: "I am extremely sorry if any of my comments have hurt the sentiments of the people here. It was said casually and without any prejudice. I have the deepest regard for the state and its language. I can even speak Marathi well and I will have respect for the state till the end of my life."

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday demanded an unconditional apology from Jaya for her alleged anti-Marathi utterances, failing which the party would prevent screening of all films starring any of the Bachchans in Mumbai.

He said that the actress had "insulted" the state and its people under the guise of promoting the national language.
At a film function here on Saturday night, Jaya had said: "People of Maharashtra, please excuse me. I am from Uttar Pradesh so I will speak in Hindi."

However, MNS leader Shishir Shinde rejected Jaya's apology, saying that she had spoken before just a handful of journalists who did not belong to the Marathi media.

Shinde told Marathi mediapersons on Tuesday that Jaya must call a press conference where Marathi newspapers and channels are invited and then apologise before them.

But he added that her apology would nevertheless help assuage the sentiments of all Marathi-speaking people.

After Thackeray called for an apology from Jaya on Monday, MNS activists tore off movie posters of Bachchans’ films outside multiplexes in suburban Kandivli, Goregaon and Dadar. MNS activists even tore off a huge hoarding showing Abhishek in an advertisement.

There were reports of similar acts of hooliganism from different parts of Maharashtra like Akola, Nanded and Yavatmal districts, the police said.

Did I write something wrong? Don't you feel that way reading her words? How long can they carry on with this? Isn't it time to let this rest? Time to move on?

I love Maharashtra even though born and spent childhood in some other state of India.

I have cut/copy original post but will wait for your comment before copy/pasting again.

I believe in freedom of speech and expression....if 'normal' citizens of Maharashtra dont get worked up when raj thackeray gives venomous speeches...then what is their problem if jaya bacchan speaks her mind....aint u allowed to speak your mind and succumb to raj bastard's antics??

Your letter will only make people weak here....jaya or no jaya...this bastard will continue his 'dividing' policies...someonez gotta confront him...if u dont have balls to publicly denounce him..then make way for others....

and yes hum jaipur waale hain....hindi mein baat karenge pune mein....when i dont make fun or ridicule your language....i expect the same treatment....i am not living on raj thackarey's alms here....i work in a company which is not a product of this state and was set up here because the state wanted it to be here and no where it was written that jobs will only go to local people here....if that was the case....not even a single MNC will set up its operations here...

However, MNS leader Shishir Shinde rejected Jaya's apology, saying that she had spoken before just a handful of journalists who did not belong to the Marathi media.

Shinde told Marathi mediapersons on Tuesday that Jaya must call a press conference where Marathi newspapers and channels are invited and then apologise before them.
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see these MNS bastards..marathi newspapers/channels it seems....fockers even ur so-called marathi channels are aired by MNCs like STAR etc....these bastards will never stop....jaya go on...a normal educated marathi will never feel offended by your statements....nail these bastards!!

see these MNS bastards..marathi newspapers/channels it seems....fockers even ur so-called marathi channels are aired by MNCs like STAR etc....these bastards will never stop....jaya go on...a normal educated marathi will never feel offended by your statements....nail these bastards!!

Strangely, while these MNS activists are going around intimidating shopkeepers, showrooms & business establishments to mandatorily have Marathi nameplates, all MNS leaders have the nameplates outside their houses in English.

The MNS leader is getting so vocal abt his anti-Indian tirade, but still the government keeps its mouth shut. They want proof . I dont understand what proof do they want . Somehow Vilasrao Deshmukh doesnt believe that the Maharashtrian junta will side with him when he put anti-Indian Raj behind bars.

The most attacks by MNS was against the Bachans, so it was but natural that they will bite back, but alas they didnt have the guts to stand against his hooliganism . Yeah its the money !!!

But in all respects its the common man who bears the brunt . Never heard them tore down the Bachan bunglow, always hear some random guy losing his source of income. And still the Government wants proof. And this random man maybe a Marathi too .

Raj !!! You are a biggest arsehole and a very down-grade person .This is from a proud Maharashtrian and an Indian at heart and I hate you bastard !!!

__________________
If you win you need not explain.. But if you lose you should not be there to explain

She was being sarcastic ... rubbing salt in to existing wounds ... thats how I feel.

wounds?? what wounds??? This Thakre kid is taking marathis for a ride....in fact the whole Thakre clan is taking mumbaiites for a royal ride for 40 years now.... And Jaya is a politician now... I feel it's a political stunt.... I am not sure but she should not be from UP....She is a bengali....
What has this Raj Thakre done for mumbai or maharashtra... except for vomiting bullcrap in marathi....

__________________I am here because I am nowhere else. But, am I there where I wanted to be?